Sensor-integrated RIS Unit Element featuring Mutual Coupling Reduction

Reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) is able to manipulate the propagation of incident electromagnetic waves to form smart radio environments. This paper describes a sensor integrated RIS for optimal 5G communication. The proposed RIS's unit cell consists of via wall to eliminate phase distortion of the sensed signal. In addition, the devised RIS uses varactor diode to change the electric and magnetic properties of the surface in programmable manner and control the wireless channel at 28.0 GHz. Sensing capabilities and beamforming capabilities are verified by 1×4 unit cells configuration. This novel concept is expected to be universally applicable to indoor environment’s blind spot.